Seven Great Demon Lords

The Seven Great Demon Lords (七大魔王,Nana Dai Maō?) are a group of Demon Lord Digimon who each represent one of the Seven Deadly Sins. This group is also known as the "Maō" in Digimon World Data Squad, which simply means "Demon Lords" in Japanese, though pronounced as one syllable instead of two. They are based on various demons from within Judeo-Christian mythology, most notably Paradise Lost[1] by John Milton and Clavicula Solomonis Regis[2], an anonymous 17th-century grimoire. There are also three "Super Demon Lords", or "Cho-Maō", who are closely related to the group. These Digimon are based on the Beasts of Revelation, and evolve from the Seven Great Demon Lords.[3] The data of Digimon consigned to oblivion by the Seven Great Demon Lords is not reincarnated, but is sent to the center of the Dark Area, and becomes the flesh and blood of the Demon Lords.[4]

Although members of this group, as well as characters of the same species, have appeared individually as antagonists throughout the Digimon franchise, there are only a few occasions in which they appear as a whole. In Digimon Savers, the villain Belphemon is mentioned as one of their number[5], and they serve as the main villains of the spin-off video game, Digimon World Data Squad, as well as the simultaneously-released Digimon World DS. They are also prominently portrayed throughout the media for the Digimon card games, and are the antagonists for the Digimon Twin virtual pet, in which they secretly release a crack program named "Tempest" into the Digital World, causing many Digimon to go on a rampage.[6]

Contents

Each of the Seven Great Demon Lords possesses a unique "Crest" (紋章,Monshō?)[7] displayed in one of the seven colors of the visible spectrum. Each depicts one of the seals of the "Seven Olympian Spirits", a group of mythological entities who, under God, ruled over the 196 provinces of Heaven and presided over the natural world for 490 years each.[8] Each Olympian Spirit is associated with a heavenly body, also depicted on the Crest.

Within the space between the two concentric circles is text stating a designated Level (this is "666" for all the crests, a reference to the "Number of the Beast" mentioned in the Book of Revelation), System (the demon that traditionally represents the Demon Lord's respective sin), and Code (the Demon Lord's respective sin). At the bottom of the inner circle is text which specifies a caution for a Purgatory Level ranging between 1 and 7, corresponding to the arrangement of Purgatory within Dante Alighieri's La Divina Commedia.

The structure of the text is in the following format:

LEVEL:___ SYSTEM:___ CODE:___ (repeated twice)

CAUTION! PURGATORY LEVEL ___

The seven Crests also appear together as the "Crown of the Seven Deadly Sins", worn by both Lucemon Shadowlord Mode and Ogudomon, and appear as seals upon the "Gate of Deadly Sins". In Digimon World Data Squad, the individual Crests appear upon "Code Keys", mystical cards which can be used to transform a child suffering from a deadly sin into the respective Demon Lord.

Belphemon, along with the other Demon Lords, almost brought ruin to the Digital World long time ago. However, he was sealed deep inside an ancient ruin in the Digital World. Professor Akihiro Kurata found Belphemon's Digi-Egg and brought it to the real world at some point in time. He nurtured the Digi-Egg that eventually hatched into Belphemon Sleep Mode. Kurata's plan was to use Belphemon as his ultimate weapon to conquer both the Digital World and Real World.

Lucemon Chaos Mode is a Demon Lord Digimon whose name and design are derived from the mythological Lucifer, the angelic name of Satan, with "Luce" (Italian: Light) and "Falldown" as a reference to that name. He is sometimes referred to as "Lucemon Fallen Mode" in American Bandai products. One of the "Seven Great Demon Lords", Lucemon represents the Sun and the sin of Pride. Because he possesses both light and dark powers, Lucemon is the strongest of the group as his power rivals that of the existence called "God" as well. Lucemon's very existence is contradictory, loving all things while desiring to destroy everything and create an ideal world.[10]

The main antagonist, Lucemon appears in the series finale after being revived by the Royal KnightsDynasmon and Crusadermon, consuming their data to assume Chaos Mode and easily defeat both EmperorGreymon and MagnaGarurumon before proceeding to open a portal to the Human World. However, Lucemon is outmatched by Susanoomon and defeated. However, Susanoomon was only able to scan part of Lucemon's data - only the good data was scanned, and the evil data reformed itself into a dark Digi-Egg which hatched into Lucemon Shadowlord Mode and was destroyed with its data recreating the Digital World.

A member of the Bagra Army under Lilithmon, Lucemon assumes his rookie form while sent to the Heaven Zone to take it over. Using Xros Heart to his advantage to further demonize the current leader GuardiAngemon, Lucemon gained enough support to become president. Once then, Lucemon assumes his Chaos Mode and unearths the darkness the zone amassed. He was defeated by Shoutmon x4B but survived, kidnapping Nene before being engulfed by a strange, dark power. This caused him to assume Shadowlord Mode with Nene trapped in the dark energy ball Gehanna that he carries. After Nene is saved, Lucemon was destroyed for good by Shoutmon x5.

As the Cho-Maō, leader of all the other Maō Digimon, it took all of the Key Cards to unlock him from his seal. The main antagonist wished to use his power to become the strongest Tamer; Lucemon Chaos Mode had other plans, however, and refused to be used. After being defeated, Lucemon Chaos Mode digivolved to the Demon Lord form, the final boss, only to be defeated once more.

Leviamon is a Demon Lord Digimon whose name and design are derived from the mythological Leviathan. One of the "Seven Great Demon Lords", it represents Mercury and the sin of Envy. Called the "Devil Beast" out of terror of the exceedingly mighty power that it possesses, it is the strongest monster existing in the Digital World. This extensive monster, said to possess gigantic jaws which could guzzle even the Digital World is reported to sleep in the depths of the Net Ocean nearest to the Dark Area, and if it is awakened it will despise any Digimon at the top, and will run away even from Angel Digimon, much less other Demon Lord Digimon. However, as the existence of the limits on Digimon are decoded, its own appears similar to nothingness, and it is said that it builds the foundation for the existence of wickedness in the Digital World.[11]

Leviamon is fought in the Demon Lord quest, and the fifth Demon Lord the player fights. Leviamon is fought at the Undersea Drive and makes up 4 zones, making him the Digimon who makes up the most zones. He is fought again at Destroyed Belt.

Daemon is a Demon Lord Digimon whose name and design are derived from the mythological Cacodaemon. It is referred to as "Creepymon" in American Bandai products, a name derived from "Creepy". One of the "Seven Great Demon Lords", it represents Jupiter and the sin of Wrath. He lead many Demon and Fallen Angel Digimon, being a Seraphimon originally.[12] However, in response to a Being of Goodness in the Digital World (possibly the creator of the Digital World), Daemon raged in fury and rebellion, and so was deleted to the Dark Area where he vowed to one day conquer the Digital World, in revenge against the being of goodness.[13]

The primary antagonist, Daemon is the evil behind the chaos of the Digital World. He was raising an army of evil Digimon to take over the Digital World. Furthermore, he was raising a Digi-Egg of terrible power at his castle in the center of the Folder Continent where the castle originally belonged to a Digimon ruler. After seeing how powerful Zeromaru became under Tai, Demon realized that a tamer was needed to bring out the full potential of his super-ultimate digimon and found such a person, Neo. Daemon also had intentions to invade the human world after taking over the Digital World. But Neo backstabbed Demon and had Arkadimon load the villain's data.
It would have seemed that Daemon was gone but in reality, he intended Neo's treachery to occur so he could possess Arkadimon from the inside. By the time Neo had reformed, Arkadimon shattered and Daemon emerged, digivolving to his Daemon Super Ultimate form after absorbing Arkadimon's data, but he was destroyed at the hands of Zeromaru as UlForceVeedramon Future Mode.

Daemon is the leader of Daemon Corps. He first made himself known to the DigiDestined after his minion SkullSatamon was destroyed by Imperialdramon Fighter Mode. He demanded that Ken come with him so he could obtain the Dark Spore's power (presumably, for his own ends). Arukenimon however appeared with a truckload of 'kidnapped' children and convinced Ken to come with her. Daemon refused to let Yukio Oikawa get away with and sicked his other two minions, LadyDevimon and MarineDevimon, after him. But after his remaining minions were destroyed by Silphymon and Shakkoumon, respectively, Daemon took matters into his own hands and stopped the truck, demanding Ken be handed over or else. But Daemon had to deal with the entire 02 team and the battle with the villain commenced. Despite everything they could throw at him, Daemon was too powerful to defeat. They decided to open a gate to the Digital World to send Daemon back there, but even while holding off their attacks, Daemon opens a gateway himself, telling them that banishing him to the Digital World would be pointless, as he can simply come right back (he also mocked them while he was at, saying "How did you think I was able to come in the first place?"). Ken was forced to use the dark power within him to convert a Digi-Port into a gateway to the Dark Ocean, through which Daemon was cast. Impressed at Ken's power, Daemon did nothing but laugh and vowed to return as the portal closed around him.

Creepymon first appears and defeats Marcus Damon and Agumon at Walter Island, after the pair defeat Tylomon. It is later revealed that it was created from former DATS member Misaki Nitta and a "Code Key of Wrath" card. It is later destroyed by Tsukasa Kagura. Because Nitta had spent so long as Creepymon, he was unable to return to normal and remained as data fragments in the Digital World.

Daemon must be defeated by the player as part of the quest to defeat the Seven Great Demon Lords, and is the first Demon Lord that the player fights. The fight happens at the Hard Mountains, and then at Destroyed Belt.

Belphemon Rage Mode is a Demon Lord Digimon whose name and design are derived from the mythological Belphegor. One of the "Seven Great Demon Lords", it represents Mars and the sin of Sloth. It is said that Belphemon Sleep Mode awakens from its eternal slumber once in a thousand years. When it awakens, it regains its natural shape and changes into an incarnation of rage, and anything that enters its field of vision becomes a target for destruction. It is said that just by suffering Belphemon Rage Mode's roar, Ultimate Digimon and below will have their data disintegrated and will instantly die, and not even Mega Digimon can escape unharmed.[4]

After Thomas double-crossed Kurata and destroyed the device he was using to control Belphemon Sleep Mode, Kurata was forced to transform himself into data and merge with Belphemon, taking control over the Digimon's body and transforming it into Belphemon Rage Mode.

Soon after, Thomas came to join the fight, with Marcus Damon on his way as well. MirageGaogamon faced off against Belphemon only to be stomped on. He would've been finished if Rosemon hadn't seized Belphemon's arm. He blocked the attacks shot by Rosemon and defeated Crowmon, who reverted back to Falcomon. Through Keenan Crier's rage, Falcomon Double Warp Digivolved to Ravemon and attacked Belphemon but was unable to do anything more than anger him. Belphemon launched an attack at Marcus and Thomas which was blocked by Ravemon. Soon, Kurata lost control of Belphemon, whose only goal is simply destruction. Marcus' Digi-Egg hatched and digivolved from Koromon to Agumon.

Once Agumon Digivolved into ShineGreymon, Kurata's face emerged from Belphemon's chest and started to drain electricity from the city to cause Belphemon Rage Mode to grow and swallow a number of space oscillation devices to give the Digimon the power to tear rifts between both worlds, threatening to bring both worlds crashing together. He defeated RookChessmon and BishopChessmon, who reverted back to the two PawnChessmon. ShineGreymon digivolved into Burst Mode and destroyed Belphemon Rage Mode, with help from Marcus' D.N.A. going straight through Belphemon Rage Mode's chest, where Kurata's face was.

Despite the fact that, normally, Belphemon's Sleep Mode is not considered a member, the voice over for Belphemon Sleep Mode includes it as one.

Belphemon is one of the final bosses in Digimon World DS. After defeating the first Demon Lord, Belphemon challenges the player by luring him/her into the final domain, where he and the other Demon Lords ambush the player. When the first six fall in battle, Belphemon will personally fight the player. He appears as the strongest Demon Lord and the strongest unobtainable boss or even the strongest Digimon in the game.

Barbamon is a Demon Lord Digimon whose name and design are derived from the mythological Barbatos. One of the "Seven Great Demon Lords", he has the appearance of a bearded old-man and represents Saturn and the sin of Greed. Residing within the heart of the Dark Area, the den of demons, Barbamon manipulates Fallen Angel Digimon to carry out evil to its limit. He is obsessed with all of the treasure which exists within the Network, and thus has a cruel personality with a greed that would kill Digimon just for a piece of treasure. Barbamon is the foremost and most cunning schemer of the Seven Great Demon Lords, and can easily manipulate the Mega-level Ghoulmon in addition to Fallen Angel Digimon.[16]

Barbamon is the Demon Lord who has taken over the Host Computer Yggdrasil in the System World, where he now makes his base. He aims to take over the Digital World by obtaining all the DigiMemories for the future of Digimon, NEO, already having the Dark Digimemory. For that purpose, he created the Commandments and recruited Shou Kahara and Peckmon, who have the Bird Digimemory.

As a member of the Seven Great Demon Lords, he forced himself into System World and confronted Yggdrasil on the policies of "Art" Digimon, Digimon born with Tamers. Upon deciding that revolution was in order, Barbamon merged with Yggdrasil and became the host computer itself. He fought Tsurugi Tatsuno but is killed when VictoryGreymon destroys him. His last act is to give his gathered Digimemories to NEO, giving him consciousness.

Barbamon appears one last time when the other Digimemory holders restrain NEO; his Dark DigiMemory imprinted with his consciousness gives NEO the ability to attack Tsurugi and Yuu Inui, only to have his own Commandments turn on him.

Beelzemon is a Demon Lord Digimon whose name and design are derived from the mythological Beelzebub. One of the "Seven Great Demon Lords", representing Venus and the sin of Gluttony. While he possesses the power to command the many Demon Digimon, he dares to observe a solitary existence. It is said that he could stand at the peak of the dark army, "Nightmare Soldiers", if he wanted despite there being being a Demon Lord Digimon more powerful then himself. He possesses his favorite shotgun "Berenjena" (Template:LangEsp), and rides on the gigantic motorcycle-type machine, "Behemoth". Although cruel and merciless, Beelzemon is also exceedingly prideful and so never attacks the weak.[17]

Beelzemon appears as the mega form of Impmon, the result of the Digimon accepting a deal with Chatsuramon to digivolve and kill off the Tamers and their Digimon in return. However, the power goes to Beelzemon's head as he runs amok until is he defeated by the newly formed Gallantmon. Spared at Jeri's behest, a shattered Beelzemon left and allowed himself to be attacked by revenge-driven Chrysalimon, who siphoned his energy and turn him back to Impmon. However, after making peace with Ai and Mako upon his return to the real world, Impmon gains the ability to become Beelzemon Blast Mode.

Lilithmon is a Demon Lord Digimon whose name and design are derived from the mythological Lilith. One of the "Seven Great Demon Lords", she has the appearance of a woman and represents the Moon and the sin of Lust. It is thought that Lillithmon was originally an Ophanimon who fell from grace became known as the "Goddess of Darkness". Lilithmon confounds her opponents with iher bewitchingly lovely appearance, those taken in by temptation said to eventually die. Her reputation as the "Goddess of Darkness" is appropriate as she show kindness to the vile and distain towards the just. The demonic "Nazar Nail" on her right arm corrodes everything it touches.[18]

Lilithmon is a member of the Bagra Empire and is the most skilled manipulator of the three Head Officers. She and her servant IceDevimon attacked the Lake Zone for its Code Crown. She controlled Akari to steal it for her, but she broke free at the last minute when Xros Heart arrived. Akari ended up slashing Lilithmon in the face with the Lake Zone's Code Crown, causing Lilithmon to retaliate by combining IceDevimon and Daipenmon into a hybrid Digimon to attack Xros Heart. She managed to escape after the hybrid's destruction. Lilithmon later attacked Xros Heart in the Sand Zone with Ebemon, fatally injuring the traitorous Baalmon. She then attacked with Machinedramon but was defeated by Xros Heart and Beelzemon, the recently reborn Baalmon. Injured and worn, she then transported Xros Heart out of the Sand Zone. Lilithmon later had her servant Lucemon unleash a black energy ball on the Heaven Zone. She later works with DarkKnightmon in the Dust Zone to get rid of both Xros Heart and Blue Flare, the plan failed with Lilithmon taking Tsuwamon, in the guise of Damemon, into the Bagra Army's base of operations.

Eventually, Lilithmon is the only active Head Officer remaining by the time Bagramon gains the Code Crowns yet is replaced by the Death Generals. Soon after, after three of the Death Generals are defeated, Lilithmon is reassigned to work under DarkKnightmon and is DigiXrossed with Blastmon and his three Vilemon into a new fighting form as a member of Twillight.

Ogudomon is an Incarnation Digimon whose name is derived from the mythological Ogdoad, eight Egyptian deities who were counterbalanced by gender and element, and whose design is derived from the First Beast of Revelation. It is a grotesque "Super Demon Lord" that has seven legs, each with an eye beneath it and a sword pierced through the knee which bears one of the seals of the Seven Deadly Sins, as well as an eighth eye on its face. As it includes the whole of the Digital World's sins, and is a mysterious incarnation with the ability to atone for them all, the power of a Digimon with even a small amount of malice is offset, making it impossible for it to defeat Ogudomon.[19] Like Lucemon Shadowlord Mode, it carries the Crowns of the Seven Deadly Sins upon its head.

Belphemon Sleep Mode is a Demon Lord Digimon whose name is derived from the mythological Belphegor, and whose design is derived from the Second Beast of Revelation. It resembles a cuter baby version of his Rage Mode. In this form, an alarm clock is bound around his body by chains, and a green energy aura surrounds his body.

Before the events of the series, Akihiro Kurata discovered a temple, inside he found a door bearing the crest of courage, upon entering he found a chest containing a Digi-Egg that would later hatch and digivolve into Belphemon Sleep Mode. Kurata then began a campaign to revive Belphemon by collecting "Digimon life energy", and thereby conquer both the human world and the Digital World - a task he succeeds at by destroying and collecting the life energy of the massive ElDradimon.

Believing he has successfully brought Thomas H. Norstein to his cause, Kurata uses the "Digimon control device" Thomas had made for him to command Belphemon. However, during Belphemon's attack, Thomas double-crosses Kurata, and destroys the control device, forcing Kurata to make another gambit. He seemingly transforms himself into data and merges with Belphemon, taking control over the Digimon's body and transforming it into Belphemon Rage Mode.

Lucemon Shadowlord Mode is a Demon God Digimon whose name and design are derived from the mythological Lucifer, the angelic name of Satan, with "Luce" (Italian: Light), "Shadowlord", and "Satan" as a reference to that name. Having the appearance of the dragon of Revelation, it is Lucemon's final form. As was told in the Revelation, it carries the Crowns of the Seven Deadly Sins upon its head, and it holds the globe of darkness, "Gehenna", which absorbs all attacks. Before the Gehenna all attacks are nullified, and it is said that the world will perish when Lucemon takes this form. However, Lucemon's true form (Lucemon Larva) exists within the Gehenna, and Shadowlord Mode is no more than Lucemon's reflection. Therefore, no matter how many times Shadowlord Mode is attacked, those attacks will not reach the true form, Lucemon Larva.[3]

Lucemon Shadowlord Mode was the final boss of the game, known in game as Demon Lord (超魔王,Chou Maou?, lit. "Super Demon Lord"). Unlike in Frontier, he was not controlled by Lucemon Larva. This is also the only Digimon whose digivolution cannot be unlocked; however, he does digivolve from Lucemon Chaos Mode.